swooper120

**Stolen Gear** This complete rig was stolen from the Atlantic City area on 3/7/03. Any information available, would be greatly appreciated. -Black Infinity w/Navy Tie Dye/ Fl. Green Pinstripes -Jedei 136 -Tempo 150 Infinity is brand new, never jumped. Excellent shape, stolen from the TAJ MAHAL Parking garage on 3/7/03. Any information, please email me dz@skydiveems.com

2 Cessna Dropzone, in Northeastern PA we have five jumpers jumping cross-braced canopies Me - Xaos27 - 78 Keith - FX 93 Ken - Velocity 103 EJ - Velocity 111 Joneser - Xaos27 99, FX 111 swooper120

I jump my Xaos27 78 when doing tandem videos and never have any problems with the spot or hard openings...since the XAOS opens so SWEET!!! The main thing is FLY the canopy..if the spot seems long, get on some rear risers. Also, had a Velocity 84 that I did video with. No problems. SWOOPER120

Started at 15, S/L

Xaos27 78 loaded at 2.05. I weigh 160 out the door. -swooper120

>I did hear that before I started, and I tell my students that - skydiving is not for everyone. And while I don't especially care for 'keeping it to ourselves', I care even less about promoting it to every whuffo who reads the Sunday paper. I agree..Most whuffos are scared of skydiving, so that point in general will weed out most >We always need fresh, new, up and coming skydivers to keep things > new and on the edge.. I> agree, and we've been getting them for 50 years now. What we _don't_ need are weekend warriors who jump once a year, spend a lot of money, and demand perfect safety. We don't need to drag the mainstream into the sport - these are the same people who sue over hot coffee. But we do need fresh faces in the sport, and you cant tell a person will be a weekend warrior the first couple times you meet them. We stress safety and currency to all of our students, and I personally have had the conversation with someone who was told, this may not be for you, but at least he was given the chance. Just like the rest of us where at one point >At least let people, give it a try, and experience the thrill that we all > get "from jumping out of those perfectly good airplanes!" We need > positive exposure..not negative all the time.. >People die doing this, dozens every year. If you double the number of jumpers you double (or triple!) the fatality rate. That's negative exposure. People who do not want to die (or even take that risk) should _not_ jump. I agree. Mainstream does not necessarily mean an amusement park ride in every city type skydiving atomsphere. Just think of the type of people who will watch the X-Games? There is a good chance they are already into an extreme sport, and it is clear to them in some sense that stuff can happen if you dont respect it, cause any extreme sport deals with this all the time. >And I want to swoop the pond on ESPN..HI MOM!! This was sarcasm...as I do not want my posts to be taken out of context, as I pass along my opionions. I have been around this sport for 20 of 22 years of my life. I have seen the good and the bad. And met many lifetime long friends along the way. Im glad we gave them the chance to skydive, and did not restrict the sport of going slightly mainstream, if not they would have never started jumping, they did not start jumping due in fact that "everyone else is doing it". but they wanted to experience the thrill...

Putting the X games on TV resulted in the explosion of skate parks, gear, and numbers of skaters around the States. Skydiving would go the same way... More people means the greater the injury count and greater the body count every year... Skydiving is'nt for every one and we should'nt try to force it on others the same way flying is'nt ment for everyone. (Walking statistics comes to mind here....) Compared to skateboarding, snowboarding, rollerblading..Skydiving is much more expensive to start out (Skateboard - $75 - $150, Basic Rig ($2500 to $4500) Also, we require age limits..so the barrage of teenagers would not happen. The financial limitations hinder alot of people from continuing, but if you truly love the sport and the rush you get from making a skydive, then you will do whatever it takes to continue learning. Good exposure would be Team Icarus, in a formation, trailing smoke over the ocean onto a beach..televised nationally..That sight would spark the interest of a certain type of person..that same person is the one I want sitting next to me on the plane, or even so, flying MY airplane. Live it up man, this is a kick ass ride

Hey man..how did you start skydiving? How would you have felt hearing that said before you started? Skydiving is a kick ass sport..hobby..pastime.whatever you want to call it. We always need fresh, new, up and coming skydivers to keep things new and on the edge..The X-games and other Extreme sport festivals could help give the sport some positive exposure, unlike what we get now from the news when accidents happen. At least let people, give it a try, and experience the thrill that we all get "from jumping out of those perfectly good airplanes!" We need positive exposure..not negative all the time.. And I want to swoop the pond on ESPN..HI MOM!!

X-Games would be sweet...and would lead to a ton of great exposure for the sport, and them maybe the question of "do you use that snowboard up in the air?" would change to "So do you swoop the pond?".....Um yes, yes I do!!! Also, would be great to get it into the Sports and Music Festival with the skateboarders and bmxers...thats actually on PAY PER View this month I believe..Swooping a pond or the OCEAN with a live band playin..SWEEET

Go Big or Go Home!!! -swooper120

The first time that I actually considered quitting skydiving was when I first saw a skydiving buddy hurt, from a hook turn..the whole situation really put into perspective how unpredictable and fast things can happen in this sport. 1700 jumps and still going, stay safe and blue skies

Airspeed has very good business people helping with there finances( regarding jumps, sponsorships, traveling). One of them being Alan Metni, the new CEO of SkyVenture. So yeah they get to jump their asses off, but in the heat and stress of high level competition each and every year. Are you thinking about becoming a professional skydiver?

You could be really nice and buy us girls our jump tickets too!! Sunshine, we have a rule at our DZ...jump naked and the video is free, so I will change it a little..jump naked and the jump is free..or just in a bikini at least!!

My mom shipped my new costume in yesterday, and it looks awesome! I may have to try it out this weekend! Sunshine, Vallerina, Jessica coming out of the C-130 in costume in a big ol raft..Swooper120 will be showing that video on the big screen that evening...STAY TUNED

You know i'm right there with you for the costume jumps!! I just hope we'll be able to find a camera person.